The amp searching story

bugbass · #1 08-16-2010, 02:39 PM

Ok, so I`ve been through a number of amps the last couple of years. This weekend I gigged with the Aguilar DB751 with my Genz Benz U410 and LM5. I tell you the 751 is a monster! this amp has lows and headroom to die for!! No other amp I`ve owned/gigged comes close to that low-end control. And since I`m a headroom junkie, I liked that part of it, alot! On the other side, this amp has a little woolly attack, and that`s something I can`t live with...I think. My bandmates loved this amp though...
I also owned a SM900(great amp), EBS TD650 and Eden WT800B.
I been through some Mark Bass amps, LMII, SD800 and F500. The last one is a keeper for me, wonderful amp for 50-60% of my gigs.
I gigged with a Aguilar AG500, liked it, but need more headroom.
Next amps on my trylist is the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 and Mesa M6/9.

What do you guys think, other suggestions?

4001 · #2 08-16-2010, 02:44 PM

As soon as I can, I will be getting two Mesa M9's and two Mesa 2X15's for a killer stereo rig.

bugbass · #3 08-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

As soon as I can, I will be getting two Mesa M9's and two Mesa 2X15's for a killer stereo rig.

Planning to start worldwar 3? hehe

Richard Lindsey · #4 08-16-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugbass

Ok, so I`ve been through a number of amps the last couple of years. This weekend I gigged with the Aguilar DB751 with my Genz Benz U410 and LM5. I tell you the 751 is a monster! this amp has lows and headroom to die for!! No other amp I`ve owned/gigged comes close to that low-end control. And since I`m a headroom junkie, I liked that part of it, alot! On the other side, this amp has a little woolly attack, and that`s something I can`t live with...I think. My bandmates loved this amp though...
I also owned a SM900(great amp), EBS TD650 and Eden WT800B.
I been through some Mark Bass amps, LMII, SD800 and F500. The last one is a keeper for me, wonderful amp for 50-60% of my gigs.
I gigged with a Aguilar AG500, liked it, but need more headroom.
Next amps on my trylist is the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 and Mesa M6/9.

What do you guys think, other suggestions?

If you can find a Carvin B1500 (used, since they no longer make them new), try it. Gobs of headroom, and the attack is anything but woolly. I don't know how its smaller and lighter successor, the B2000, is, but the B1500 is a beast and IMO a modern classic.

bugbass · #5 08-16-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

If you can find a Carvin B1500 (used, since they no longer make them new), try it. Gobs of headroom, and the attack is anything but woolly. I don't know how its smaller and lighter successor, the B2000, is, but the B1500 is a beast and IMO a modern classic.

I`m aware of that amp, but we don`t have them here in Norway unfortunately

4001 · #6 08-16-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugbass

Planning to start worldwar 3? hehe

I'd like to.....

I know that I wont be able to absolutly crank the stuff, but it's the combo that I think will work best for me. I'm sure that I'll have a chance at some point to let loose. Maybe someday at around 4:15 AM........

babebambi · #7 08-16-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

If you can find a Carvin B1500 (used, since they no longer make them new), try it. Gobs of headroom, and the attack is anything but woolly. I don't know how its smaller and lighter successor, the B2000, is, but the B1500 is a beast and IMO a modern classic.

THAT!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugbass

I`m aware of that amp, but we don`t have them here in Norway unfortunately

That's why you need to look for a used one on TB classify.

babebambi · #8 08-16-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

As soon as I can, I will be getting two Mesa M9's and two Mesa 2X15's for a killer stereo rig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

I know that I wont be able to absolutly crank the stuff, but it's the combo that I think will work best for me. I'm sure that I'll have a chance at some point to let loose. Maybe someday at around 4:15 AM........

I am running a M9 into 3x 115 ATM (one last cab will be delivered shortly to make a stack of 4). I don't think I will need to run 2x M9 with that stack. And I don't think you will either.

jsbarber · #9 08-16-2010, 07:55 PM

You might want to try the Glockenklang Heart Rock. It's got similar muscle to the DB, but a different sound.

Jim

lowphatbass · #10 08-16-2010, 08:30 PM

You like a lot of headroom and do not like a wooly attack. I would suggest a beefy power amp, something general. I'm not sure what is available there, but there are some very reliable, high powered units(usually 2U(rack spaces)around 10 kilograms. If you pair that with a pre-amplifier that is suited to your tastes you should find pleasure. Your band members seem to like a warmer sound, if you decide to explore this you should be able to do so very easily with the addition of a pedal. There's also the possibility that the preamp you choose will be able to deliver your stock bass tones(you've got some nice ones!)perfectly clean, as well as with a bit of "hair" when you decide it's appropriate.

bugbass · #11 08-17-2010, 01:27 AM

Thanks for the response. The Heart-Rock seems like a interresting head. The pre/power solution also, but then I would have to start all over again..I`m waiting for the Shuttle 9.0 and M6 to try out now. The Glock is not availible in country I think.

4001 · #12 08-17-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babebambi

I am running a M9 into 3x 115 ATM (one last cab will be delivered shortly to make a stack of 4). I don't think I will need to run 2x M9 with that stack. And I don't think you will either.

It's one head/cab. per pickup. STEREO.

BassmanPaul · #13 08-17-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

As soon as I can, I will be getting two Mesa M9's and two Mesa 2X15's for a killer stereo rig.

In a word: comb filtering!!!! Well two words!

4001 · #14 08-17-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

In a word: comb filtering!!!! Well two words!

Well, first of all the cabs won't be right next to each other, they will be seperated by a Peavey 1810 with a GK 800 RB for my Moog Taurus pedals and possibly a keyboard.

Second, I just called Mesa Boogie and spoke with one of their techs and he said that there would not be a problem with a stereo rig using one M9 and 2X15 for each pickup in a true stereo rig. I'll take his word for it and if it were to be a problem, I'd address it if and when it would arise, but he assured me there would be no such problems where comb filtering would be necessary.
The good part (since I'll need to get my cash together) is that it takes 8 to 12 weeks to get the amps and cabs to me since they do not have a 'stock' of product. it is built upon order.

The bad part is that two cabs and two heads will run me almost $5K.

But since it's the last amp rig I'll ever buy, that's OK with me.

Jim Carr · #15 08-17-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

...I just called Mesa Boogie and spoke with one of their techs...he assured me there would be no such problems where comb filtering would be necessary...The bad part is that two cabs and two heads will run me almost $5K.

But since it's the last amp rig I'll ever buy, that's OK with me.

Really? Aren't hearing aids "rigs" in a sense, too? But I digress. I think you have missed the point about comb filtering, as I am sure you are about to learn in significant detail.

4001 · #16 08-17-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Really? Aren't hearing aids "rigs" in a sense, too? But I digress. I think you have missed the point about comb filtering, as I am sure you are about to learn in significant detail.

Then educate me if you know better than the Mesa tech.
I'm not trying to be a smart ass, but what do you know that their own people don't?

I'm not an expert with a degree in sound engineering so what is it that I'm going to learn in significant detail?

4001 · #17 08-17-2010, 07:16 PM

OK, I did some research on comb filtering.
It seems that I'd have a problem with some freqs. cancelling each other out. Would I be able to change this 'phenomina' by angling the cabs away from each other or adjusting the EQ to help rectify the problem?
I would think this would not be a FOH problem but I do understand the possible on stage problems that might arise.

Any thoughts?
I checked a wiki. page on comb filtering and all i saw were math equations that looked like the formula for splitting atoms. I don't quite understand all of those charts.
I have run my Ricks in stereo and never noticed these problems. I guess now that I know about this I'll start to hear them??

This is getting ugly. Mono sucks. Stereo is where it's at.
I still want to get that rig and hear it for myself. Maybe it is not as bad as described. I'd like to talk to someone at Rickenbacker and ask them about it.
I just dont want to get someone on the phone that dosent have a clue about it.
I did talk to a student, and a very good one that is in sound engineering classes in Chicago and he is well aware of this. He told me that I might be able to help the problem by angling the cabs away from each other in this (V) shape (pointing away from each other) outward instead of inward.

I'm getting a knot in my belly.

lowphatbass · #18 08-17-2010, 07:42 PM

I'm no engineer and I've never really been interested in running bass stereo(I've used dual-mode set-ups before but that's a totally different story).
Two things come to my mind here: Listen to advise not just from engineers, but people with actual experience in the field. The stage and the text book are two completely different things. If you can find somebody with a degree AND real world experience that's sweet(Bill F comes to mind).
Also, you may have so much muscle going for you with that package that some minor issues may not even become a factor, in other words, you may not require anywhere near maximum performance from this rig to get what your wanting from it.
Just some food for thought to get the juices flowing.

KsPiNeSh · #19 08-17-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

The bad part is that two cabs and two heads will run me almost $5K.

But since it's the last amp rig I'll ever buy, that's OK with me.

If I had $1 for every time someone on this forum has said that...

4001 · #20 08-17-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KsPiNeSh

If I had $1 for every time someone on this forum has said that...

Well, being 44 and not a touring musician and Mrs. 4001 and I are still trying for a baby, I figured that since all I need is a good stage rig, this will do it for me. After that, money will be scarce and I wont have the coin for anything else but strings and the occasional preamp tubes.

Now, when I was much younger, I said that a lot. You would have made about ten dollars off my claim of "it's the last amp rig I'll ever buy".